Understand what FeLV is and how it affects the health of the cat

Feline leukemia, also known as FeLV, is a disease caused by a retrovirus that only affects cats – it is not transmissible to humans or other species. Highly contagious, it affects the animal’s immune system, making it vulnerable to other diseases and infections. “Even with the name leukemia, the virus also predisposes to anemia and lymphoma, another type of neoplasm”, adds Mariana Paraventi, veterinarian and technical supervisor at Petland&Co and Dr. Mei.

FeLV symptoms

According to Mariana Paraventi, cats with FeLV can present the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite and/or weight;
• Pale (anemia) or yellowish (jaundice) mucous membranes;
• Enlarged lymph nodes (glands);
• Weakness;
• Gingivitis and stomatitis (intense inflammation in the mouth);
• Fever;
• Apathy, unwilling to play;
• Breathing problems;
• Eye and nasal discharge;
• Excessive tiredness;
• Diarrhea and vomiting;
• Skin wounds that take time to heal;
• Hair dull and brittle.

“So, when identifying any of these symptoms, the tutor should look for a veterinarian to identify what may be happening and make the diagnosis early”, recommends the veterinarian. In addition, sometimes some pets may be asymptomatic, that is, not showing apparent symptoms, which increases the chance of transmission to others. cats and makes diagnosis difficult.

How to identify FeLV

FeLV can be identified through tests performed by a veterinarian. “One of them is the rapid test, which informs the result in a few minutes. However, this test can report a false negative and, in this case, to confirm, PCR can be performed after 30 days to confirm the result”, explains Mariana Paraventi.

Ways of transmission of FeLV

FeLV is transmitted through direct contact with an infected cat, mainly through saliva, but contagion can also happen through urine, feces and blood. “This makes situations such as fights, bites, scratches, sharing feeders and licking a risk in the transmission of the disease”, warns the veterinarian. Still according to her, kittens can also become infected through the infected mother’s placenta, as well as by ingesting milk.

Treatment for feline leukemia

FeLV is a disease that has no cure. However, there are ways to manage the disease and prolong the life of the cat. “Although there are no specific antivirals on the market, there are some that can be used. In addition, the symptomatic treatment will depend on the symptoms and concomitant diseases, and immunological support can be done to guarantee a better defense of the feline organism against other diseases”, says the technical supervisor of Petland&Co and Dr. Mei.

Important care for cats with FeLV

After the diagnosis of FeLV, some cares must be taken in order to ensure the health and well-being of the infected animal, preventing opportunistic diseases from developing. “Even in treatment, it is important to remember that there is no cure for FeLV, so care must be taken with situations that lower their immunity even further, such as stress”, explains Mariana Paraventi. In addition, periodic visits to the veterinarian are extremely important.

Life Expectancy of a Cat with FeLV

FeLV symptoms can be treated to improve quality of life. animal’s life. “Determining the life expectancy of a feline with FeLV is very uncertain, since the disease can vary in severity according to other associated illnesses or how the pet’s own organism can react to the infection”, says Mariana Paraventi, who adds: “ Some studies have shown that infected patients without symptoms can remain so for years, but the average survival is usually 3 years.”

How to avoid contamination

Due to the complications caused by feline leukemia, prevention measures are fundamental. “One of them is to ensure that the pet does not leave the house, which considerably reduces the chance of infection”, explains Mariana Paraventi. According to her, one way to do this is through neutering, as it reduces the risk of transmission to other pets.

Periodic visits to the veterinarian for check-ups and vaccination against FeLV, present in the quintuple vaccine, is also another way to prevent the disease. “In the case of environments with positive and negative kittens, isolation and care with objects must occur daily”, adds Mariana Paraventi.

Performing the test to diagnose FeLV in new cats, before including them in the same environment as other cats, is also important to avoid contamination. If there is suspicion, and until the final result of the exam comes out, it is important to keep the pet isolated. “Therefore, objects such as feeders and drinkers, sandboxes, toys, transport boxes, among others, must be separated and identified”, emphasizes the veterinarian.